CSCC Reports 2011: River Cuckmere - 17 April 2011

On Sunday 17 April the club went on one of the trips recommended in Peter Knowles' "Pub Paddles" book.  We opted for the River Cuckmere in Sussex.  In addition to regular paddlers Dan H., Richard and myself, we welcomed Mark W. and visiting French Civil Servant, Phil.
The Cuckmere is a tidal river to the west of Eastbourne which passes through beautiful parts of the South Downs to the ancient village of Alfriston.  We had brought a Canadian canoe and three touring kayaks and launched easily from the canoe club slip at Seven Sisters Country park.  The slip is on the Meanders, which Mark remembered from a school geography field trip as being an excellent example of an ox-bow lake.  The lagoon is certainly an excellent place for novice paddlers: the warm, salty water was an inviting turquoise colour and there were no motor boats to contend with, as it was too shallow for them.  

We paddled towards the main channel and reached it by high water Eastbourne.  A portage was necessary, but it was easy and gave Richard an opportunity to impress us with a dramatic seal launch down the steps.  The spring flood tide was still moving quickly upstream, which meant that we only needed to paddle at a gentle pace to make impressively speedy progress.  There were no trees on the river bank or obstructing the river either, so we could just relax and enjoy views of the South Downs, including the white horse on the chalk hill at Litlington.

After only an hour of paddling we reached our intended lunch stop, Alfriston.  No faffing at all and lunch at noon - a first for CSCC?  We left our boats and walked through the village, past a lovely village green, to the George Inn.  This is a 14th century pub with a lot of character and a nice beer garden.  We tucked into our tasty roast dinners in warm spring sunshine and chatted with Marcia and Malcolm (who had been hiking around Seven Sisters while we were paddling).
On returning to our boats at 1.30pm we discovered that the tide was now ebbing nicely.  Mark took over from Phil at the stern of the Canadian and tried his hand at steering for the first time.  We got back to the meanders within an hour.  

Everything on the trip had gone unusually smoothly until then, but on the steps leading up to the Meanders Mark was initiated into the chaotic ways of the club when his heavy canoe was hauled up the wooden stair case with him dragged partially beneath it.  I was impressed by Mark's stoicism as he was left pinned by the ankle.
Mark and Phil chose to get off the water at the slip.  Richard, Dan and I explored for a few minutes until we reached a sign which said "No boats beyond this point".  We wondered why, so after returning to the others and securing our boats we strolled along the pleasant footpath leading from the busy car park to Cuckmere Haven.  The river here flows very quickly over stones as it meets the sea and we saw kayakers in play-boats.

Before driving back to London we also had time to enjoy the delights of the Exceat tea shop (excellent cake!)

My thanks go to Peter Knowles for his very clear and detailed trip plan.  Mark had told us that there are proposals to let this area flood once the existing sea defences have been breached.  So enjoy the Cuckmere while you have the chance to see it as it is!